November 16, 2000 -- ASIA PACIFIC NEWS -- Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts announces today three new management agreements within China in Nanjing, Zhongshan and Zhengzhou, strengthening further the group's dominant position in the mainland where it already has 15 hotels and 7,000 rooms. These new build hotels are part of Shangri-La's plans to double the number of hotels it operates by 2005 from the existing 37 properties.
Opening in early 2001, the five-star 460-bedroom Shangri-La Dingshan Nanjing is situated 40 minutes from Nanjing international airport and within close proximity of the business and cultural districts. Nanjing, the former capital of China for five dynasties including the renowned Ming dynasty, is the capital of the Jiangsu province with a population of more than five million people.
Located in a garden setting, the hotel will have expansive views across the Yangtse River and the city, with many of the rooms, which range from 40 to 60 square metres, featuring balconies. There will be a variety of Chinese and international restaurants, numerous meeting rooms and a 1,200 square metre grand ballroom divisible into three sections. Recreation facilities include a state-of-the-art health club, gymnasium, sauna, swimming pool and two tennis courts. In addition to the hotel, there will be 120 service apartments and long-stay residences as well as a 100-room four star hotel within the complex.
The 264-bedroom Shangri-La Hotel Zhongshan in southern China, opening late 2001, is only one and a half hours by ferry from Hong Kong and 15 minutes from the ferry port. Its central location means that it is within an hour's car ride to Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhuhai airports. Located at the heart of the Pearl River delta, Zhongshan is the birthplace of Dr Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern China. The hotel's recreation facilities are extensive with two squash courts, a 16-lane bowling alley, an outdoor swimming pool, eight outdoor tennis courts, four badminton courts, a gymnasium, games room, sauna and steam room.
The 14-storey Shangri-La Hotel Zhengzhou, situated in the heart of the capital of Henan province in the centre of China, will open early 2002. It is strategically located in the central commercial district, convenient to the north/south and east/west expressways and 40 minutes from the international airport making it ideal for the business traveller. There will be 280 spacious guest rooms and suites, a ballroom, a number of meeting and breakout rooms as well as a wide range of leisure facilities.
Chief executive Giovanni Angelini, who is spearheading the development projects, said: 'These three new hotels in China reinforce Shangri-La's dominant position as the luxury hotel group in China. We see huge potential in China, which is benefiting both from the major growth in domestic travel as well as the increase in business and leisure travellers visiting the mainland. As Shangri-La has been in China for over 16 years with an established brand name, we are well placed to capture much of this new business in the secondary cities, which should increase further with China's imminent entry into the WTO.'
Although Asia remains the group's focus for its expansion plans, Shangri-La is keen to have a presence in the key gateway cities of Europe and North America. The group is primarily looking at London, Paris, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco to take full advantage of its strong brand name and existing loyal Asian clientele. Within Asia Pacific, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney remain priorities. Shangri-La has already announced that it has signed a management contract with the UAE-based Al Jaber Group to operate a deluxe 301-room and 188-apartment hotel in Dubai, which will open in winter 2002.
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This release is courtesy of Asia Pacific News, a provider of the latest news, information and updates about global business travel, business travel management, and business travel related products & services, throughout Asia Pacific and The Americas.
For further information Colin J. Holden, Group Publisher/Managing Editor at:
info@asia-pacific-news.com
To Visit The Asia Pacific News Web Site Click Here
This information is protected by international copyright law and may not be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.
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